Travel to Yorkshire UK

The "watersplash" on the title sequence is on the minor road from Swaledale to Arkengarthdale.The turn off just just before the Punchbowl pub as you head up the valley.
Not strictly Herriot, but check the old theatre in Richmond, and the square.

If you are arriving in London I would suggest taking the train to York and pick up a rental car. Take A19 north out of York and it will take you into Thirsk.
In Thirsk, go to 23 Kirkgate (it has a red door) this is where James Wight (aka James Herriot) and Donald Sinclair (aka Siegfried Farnon) had their offices and lived. it is now a museum. As you are facing the building if you turn to your right and walk down a litte you will see St Mary's church where James Wight was married. He went into Three Tuns and the Golden Fleece which both are on the village square. If you take A170 out of Thirsk this will take you to Helmsley where Rievaulx Abbey is, where he would go and walk around. Take A61 west out of Thirsk to B6267 to A1 north, this will take you to A684. You want to go west on A684 this will take you into Leyburn where the Bolton Arms pub is, they used this in the shows, also James Wight and a vet in Leyburn was good friends and he went there a lot. Leyburn has several nice B&B's. Continue on A684 you will come to Wensley here is the church they used for the show when he got married. Continue on A684 you will come to West Witton, this is where the Wensleydale Heifer pub (great place to eat) which was in the shows. Watch for signs to C34 which is a little north of A684. You will come to Aysgarth Falls which was used in the shows. Castle Bolton is also off C34. C34 will take you to Askrigg, this is where the house is that they used for Skeldale House in the shows, it's on corner...caddy corner..from the village church. Now, if you want to see the stone bridge that he drove over and the watersplash that he drove thru in the beginning of each show you take 16 north out of Leyburn when you get to reet bear right and pass Buck Hotel on your left after Barnard Castle about 2/3 miles to Langthwaite turn right into village then turn around to return the bridge is there, turn right 200 yards turn left sign post says Low Row pass through the watersplash. (con't)

(con't) you can take A6108 south out of Leyburn this will take you thru Middleham a very pretty village,continue south it will take you to Jervaulx Abbey. Every place I have mentioned James Wight is connected to. Our family has great memories of our two visits with Dr. James Wight, we have personnal letters from him which we cherish. We have visited all the above places. I would suggest you getting a copy of the book James Herriot's Yorkshire which I'm sure you would enjoy. I hope this helps you, if you have any other questions you cam PM me.

Robin has some really great suggestions. I had a wonderful trip to this Yorkshire and really enjoyed it. I also visited Howard House which is just north of York and Rievaulx Abbey. They were very interesting. I too visited Bolton Castle and enjoyed it. I also did some short walks. I've been trying to remember where i went, but have not been successful. But, I think you should think about it. There are lots of sites on the web with suggestions. Pam

Thirsk is a great base for touring the N York Moors and the dales. We stayed at Sutton Hall timeshare in Sutton under Whitestonecliffe which is about 5 miles east of Thirsk. Thirsk has a good market. We enjoyed eating at pubs in the small villages nearby-Felixkirk, Kilburn, Bagby, Helmsley etc. Nice view from Sutton Bank on the way to Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey. Also. within an hour is Castle Howard,Ripon Cathedral and Fountain Abbey & Studley Royal. We went to York on the Train-about 30 minutes. In doing all this I'm sorry we missed the James Herriott museum but I did read the books & watched a DVD before our trip. Look for the White Horse of Kilburn near Sutton Bank. Have a great trip.

Many thanks to all of you who have posted suggestions! They are very helpful. I'm really looking forward to the trip.

If anyone has taken the train from manchester airport to Thirsk, do you have any comments on it?

Mike, go to this website...http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/planjourney/query... enter Manchester airport to Thrisk and you will be able to see the times. There are several per hour, most of them you have to make a change in Newcastle.

If you have time, include Whitby Abbey. It's beautifully situated on a cliff above the sea; it's especially lovely on a windy atmospheric day. You can climb the 199 steps up from the town. The old part of the town is also worth a visit.

Hi
Thirsk from Manchester, will have you change at either York or Leeds.
Services are fast and frequent on this line.
There used to be North Country Rail Rover ticket, which was great value if you don't intend on using a car.
Settle Carlisle railway worth a trip.

Hi - We have spent much time in both the Yorkshire Dales and Moors. My favorite area is Swaledale - it's very beautiful, and Reeth, the town at its head is lovely. Richmond is a wonderful town - one of the most attractive I've seen in the UK. Walk by the river and allthru the narrow streets, etc. We found all the villages in the Dales very nice. On the Moors side,Helmsley, Rieveaux Abbey, and Pickering were our favorites. The steam train ride from Pickering is worth doing. Enjoy! Julia